Chapter 44 What Should Never Be Said
POV Damian:
“Ethan caught Noah eating my pussy and Liam sucking my breasts. And I’ll understand if you want me to leave.”
I replay Scarlett’s words in my head again and again, still thinking I must have heard them wrong. I glance to my right and find Ethan staring at me, just as shocked as I am by what Scarlett just said. My eyes return to the woman on the bed, and her discomfort is obvious as she shifts her gaze between me and Ethan.
When I went to the office earlier, something had already been bothering me—the thought that today was the day Ethan and Scarlett would go to the clinic to see the baby. I tried to focus on work and not think about it, but it was impossible not to picture Scarlett lying on that examination table, seeing her little baby for the first time. I know I have no right to be by her side, holding her hand, staring in awe at that tiny screen—but hell, I want to be there. I know the baby isn’t mine, and Scarlett isn’t either, but I want to be beside her. I want to see the smile that will spread across her face when she looks at that small image—the same one I longed to see when Chloe told me she was pregnant.
Because I wanted to witness that moment, I didn’t care about leaving work in the middle of the day. I didn’t care about walking into the house, looking Ethan in the eye, and asking to go with them. But something didn’t feel right. Liam was still home when I arrived, and he barely looked at Ethan as he walked out the door. After my conversation with Ethan, it was clear something had happened, but he didn’t want to tell me what it was. We waited for Scarlett to come downstairs so we could leave for the clinic—but she never came.
Looking at her red eyes now, it’s clear she didn’t come down because she’d been crying. I don’t even know how to name what I’m feeling right now. She was with Noah and Liam when Ethan caught them. Shame and regret are written all over her face. I know I shouldn’t feel betrayed—there’s nothing between us—but I do. Does she feel something for Noah and Liam? How long has this been going on? Since I went to Chicago? Liam swore he barely spoke to her. Did he lie to me?
“Please, say something,” Scarlett begged, tears streaming down her face.
Why does it hurt? I’m not in love with her, so why do I feel so betrayed? She can be with whoever she wants. I only helped her—I’m not her boyfriend, and we barely even get along. So why does it hurt so much? Why do I want to walk out of this room and not look at her for days?
“I have nothing to say,” I finally manage after long seconds of silence. “I just came to see if you were okay before going to the clinic.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “Now I need to get back to work—I only came home because I forgot some papers.” I lie, avoiding Ethan’s eyes in case he contradicts me. “When you get back from the clinic, send me a message to let me know how the baby is.” I turn my back, barely glancing at Ethan, but before I can leave the room, Scarlett’s voice makes me stop and turn around.
“That’s it?” she asks, wiping her face. “That’s all you have to say?” Her tone carries irritation.
What does she expect me to say? That I’m pissed? That I’m furious? That I want to punch Noah and Liam in the face? Especially Liam.
“I don’t know what you expect me to say,” I tell her, stepping closer. “Scarlett, you’re single, and as far as I know, my brothers are too. You don’t owe me any explanation.” I sit beside her, wiping the tears from her face. “You don’t need to think you owe me anything, because you don’t. Are we clear?” I ask, masking my discomfort as best I can.
“Yes.” I press a kiss to her forehead, forcing myself to stand up and get the hell out of there before she can say anything else.
“Perfect. See you later.”
I hurry out of the room before she can call me back, leaving her to talk to Ethan. Unlike me, maybe Ethan does expect an explanation—after all, she’s carrying his baby. I go down the stairs, grab my briefcase, and head back to where I belong, where I should never have left in the first place.
...
The hours drag on, my thoughts trapped on Scarlett and what she told me. I can’t focus on the video conferences I have throughout the afternoon. The few times I cross paths with Liam in the office hallways, I pretend to know nothing. He never once tries to talk to me or explain what happened between him and Scarlett. I haven’t seen Noah all day—I don’t even know if he came to work. Ethan texted me hours later, saying they went to the clinic and that the baby is fine. A few minutes after that, Scarlett sent me a message I chose not to read.
I stare at the document in my hands, trying to make sense of the clauses and fine print. This isn’t even my responsibility—it’s Liam’s—but right now the last thing I want is to be trapped in a room with him, listening to his voice. What hurts me the most is that my brother—my best friend—didn’t tell me he was looking at Scarlett differently. I kind of knew Noah wanted to get into her panties. But Scarlett and Liam? That was one fucked-up surprise.
“Can I come in?” Liam’s head pokes halfway through the door. I didn’t even hear him open it.
“I’m busy.” I pretend to focus on the document again, ignoring how much his presence stings.
“It’s important.”
I set the document down on the desk and meet his eyes. “Alright. Speak, then.” I fake indifference, though I can barely look at him without picturing the scene Scarlett described.
Liam steps inside, pulls out a chair, and sits across from me. Before I realize it, he buries his face in his hands and lets out a long sigh.
“Damian, I fucked up. I really fucked up with you, and I’ll understand if you don’t want to look at me again.” I straighten in my chair.
“What did you do?” I ask, though I already know the answer. Liam lifts his head to look at me.
“I... fooled around with Scarlett...” He pauses, watching for my reaction, but I stay silent. When he realizes I won’t say anything, he takes a breath and continues. “With Noah. I fooled around with her—with him—and fuck, it was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
I frown, pretending that curiosity isn’t clawing at me to know more about how exactly that happened.